[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9132]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



IN RECOGNITION OF MACOMB COUNTY'S TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WALTER 
                               C. WETZEL

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Macomb 
County, Michigan for its tribute to a brave World War II soldier, 
Private First Class Walter C. Wetzel. With the dedication of a bust of 
Private Wetzel at the new county administration building, Macomb County 
will recognize the selfless actions of an American war hero.
  Walter C. Wetzel entered the United States Army in Roseville, 
Michigan and served in European theater. Private Wetzel was an acting 
squad leader with the Antitank Company of the 13th Infantry in Birken, 
Germany, during the early morning hours of April 3, 1945, when he 
detected strong enemy forces moving in to attack. Private Wetzel 
alerted his comrades and immediately began defending their post against 
heavy automatic weapons fire. Under cover of darkness, the Germans 
eventually forced their way close to the American position, hurling two 
grenades into the room where Private Wetzel and others had taken up 
firing positions. Shouting a warning to his fellow soldiers, Private 
Wetzel threw himself on the grenades and absorbed their entire blast, 
suffering wounds from which he died. The supreme gallantry of Private 
Wetzel saved his comrades from death or serious injury and made it 
possible for them to continue the defense of their post. His 
unhesitating sacrifice of his life was in keeping with the highest 
traditions of bravery and heroism. Because of his actions, Private 
Wetzel was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Private Wetzel and his courageous deeds have considerable meaning to 
his family, and to the residents of Macomb County and the State of 
Michigan. Private Wetzel is the only person from Macomb County to 
receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. His life has been honored by 
the Michigan State Legislature and an important street in Macomb County 
was named Pfc. Walter Wetzel Drive.
  Mr. President, Private Wetzel is an example of the selfless and 
courageous commitment our soldiers display every day. I know my 
colleagues will join me in saluting Macomb County for its recognition 
of Private First Class Walter C. Wetzel and the sacrifice of the men 
and women of our Armed Services.

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 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to commend St. John's 
Hospital in Springfield. This is National Hospital Week, when 
communities across the country celebrate the people that make hospitals 
the special places they are. This year's theme sums it up nicely: 
``People Care. Miracles Happen.'' It recognizes the health care 
workers, volunteers, and other health professionals who are there 24 
hours a day, 365 days a year, curing and caring for their neighbors who 
need them.
  An example of this dedication is the Parent Help Line of St. John's 
Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. The program won the American 
Hospital Association's prestigious Hospital Award for Volunteer 
Excellence, which highlights special contributions of hospital 
volunteers.
  The Parent Help Line provides parents and agencies with easily 
accessible, low-cost parenting information and support to help 
strengthen families and prevent child abuse. Trained volunteers give 
parenting tips, support and referrals to about 100 callers a month. 
Volunteers also visit parents of newborns and offer information about 
infant growth and development and about the Parent Help Line services, 
and a volunteer nurse makes a follow-up call to each family one month 
after discharge. Volunteers taking part in an intervention program 
regularly call parents identified as high risk. Parenting classes, 
program and support groups are made available to parents, and a 
television show on parenting issues airs weekly on a local public 
access channel. A monthly newsletter is mailed to more than 1,500 
individuals and agencies in central Illinois.
  Mr. President, I want to congratulate St. John's Hospital for this 
award-winning program.

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